Memory card

ABSTRACT

A memory card includes: a main body of the memory card in which a notched section is formed; a semiconductor memory; and a write/nonwrite setting element for setting the write/nonwrite state of data in the semiconductor memory, the write/nonwrite setting element being slidably fitted in the notched section, wherein the main body of the memory card includes an upper main body and ail lower main body; at least one of the upper main body and the lower main body has an elastic guide formed within the notched section the write/nonwrite setting element slides along the elastic guide so as to set the write/nonwrite state of the data in the semiconductor memory; and the elastic guide has an engagement portion for engagedly stopping the write/nonwrite setting element so as to select the position of the write/nonwrite setting element with respect to the elastic guide.

This application is a U.S. NATIONAL PHASE application of PCTInternational application PCT/JP00/05601.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a memory card incorporating awrite/nonwrite setting means for preventing erroneous erasure orerroneous rewriting of a stored content.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, in some memory cards, a reflective sheet, a switch, or asetting element which is largely exposed from a main body have been usedas a write/nonwrite setting means.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a conventional memory card 1100incorporating a write/nonwrite setting means which is realized by areflective sheet 33. In FIG. 12, reference numeral 31 denotes a mainbody of the memory card, reference numeral 32 denotes a terminal whichis integrally formed with the main body 31 of the memory card, andreference numeral 33 denotes a reflective sheet.

Inside the main body 31 of the memory card, a semiconductor memory (notshown) in which a content is rewritable is provided. A device (notshown) which is electrically connected to the semiconductor memorythrough the terminal 32 reads or rewrites data stored in thesemiconductor memory. In this example, the reflective sheet 33 is usedas the write/nonwrite setting means. The write/nonwrite state of thememory card is set by applying the reflective sheet 33 onto apredetermined position on the main body 31 of the memory card or peelingthe reflective sheet 33 off from the predetermined position. The devicedetects the write/nonwrite state by detecting the reflective state atthe predetermined position on the main body 31 of the memory card byusing a photocoupler or the like.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a conventional memory card 1200incorporating a write/nonwrite setting means which is realized by aswitch 43. In FIG. 13, reference numeral 41 denotes a main body of thememory card, reference numeral 42 denotes a terminal which is integrallyformed with the main body 41 of the memory card, and reference numeral43 denotes a switch.

Inside the main body 41 of the memory card, a semiconductor memory (notshown) in which a content is rewritable is provided. A device (notshown) which is electrically connected to the semiconductor memorythrough the terminal 42 reads or rewrites data stored in thesemiconductor memory. In this example, the switch 43 is used as thewrite/nonwrite setting means. The write/nonwrite state of the memorycard is set by the switching of the switch 43. The device electricallydetects the setting of the switch 43.

In such memory cards, a more compact and thinner main body of the memorycard, and more simple manipulation of a write/nonwrite setting means areconcurrently required.

The conventional memory card 1100, which incorporates a write/nonwritesetting means realized by the reflective sheet 33, does not have amechanical structure for the write/nonwrite setting means. Thus, thereflective sheet 33 is effective in achieving a more compact and thinnermain body 31 of the memory card. However, manipulation of thewrite/nonwrite setting means is inconvenient because the write/nonwritestate of the memory card is set by the application and the peeling offof the reflective sheet 33.

In the conventional memory card 1200 which incorporates a write/nonwritesetting means realized by the switch 43, the write/nonwrite state of thememory card is set by the switching of the switch 43. Thus, manipulationfor setting the write/nonwrite state of the memory card is simple.However, there is a limit to a decrease in the size and thickness of themain body 41 of the memory card because the main body 41 of the memorycard incorporates a switch.

The present invention was conceived for the purpose of providing amemory card including a write/nonwrite setting means in which settingmanipulation is simple, and with which the size and thickness of themain body of the memory card can be decreased.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A memory card according to the present invention includes: a main bodyof the memory card in which a notched section is formed; a semiconductormemory in which data can be at least written; a terminal provided in themain body of the memory card for electrically connecting thesemiconductor memory to an external device; and a write/nonwrite settingelement for setting the write/nonwrite state of the data in thesemiconductor memory, the write/nonwrite setting element being slidablyfitted in the notched section, wherein the main body of the memory cardincludes an upper main body and a lower main body; at least one of theupper main body and the lower main body has an elastic guide formedwithin the notched section; the write/nonwrite setting element isslidably fitted in the elastic guide and is sandwiched between the uppermain body and the lower main body; the write/nonwrite setting element ispositioned such that a portion of the write/nonwrite setting elementcovers a portion of the notched section; the write/nonwrite settingelement slides along the elastic guide so as to set the write/nonwritestate of the data in the semiconductor memory; and the elastic guide hasan engagement portion for engagedly stopping the write/nonwrite settingelement so as to select the position of the write/nonwrite settingelement with respect to the elastic guide, whereby the above objectiveis achieved.

The engagement portion may include a protrusion which is formed so as toengagedly stop the write/nonwrite setting element; and thewrite/nonwrite setting element may ride over the protrusion so as to beengagedly stopped at one of the opposite ends of the elastic guide,thereby selecting a position of the notched section which is coveredwith the write/nonwrite setting element.

The engagement portion may include a first engagement portion which isformed by a protrusion or a cavity; the write/nonwrite setting elementmay include a second engagement portion which is formed by a cavity or aprotrusion; and the second engagement portion may be engagedly stoppedby the first engagement portion, whereby the write/nonwrite settingelement may select a position of the notched section which is coveredwith the write/nonwrite setting element.

One of the upper main body and the lower main body may have a slit whichis formed in the elastic guide; and the write/nonwrite setting elementmay fit in the slit.

The write/nonwrite setting element may include: a manipulation portionwhich covers the notched section so as to achieve setting of thewrite/nonwrite state and which is used as a manually-operated shiftknob; an anti-disengagement portion which is fitted in the slit; and aslide contact portion which connects the manipulation portion with theanti-disengagement portion and which slidably contacts the elasticguide.

The other of the upper main body and the lower main body may have areentrant groove at a position such as to face the slit; and thewrite/nonwrite setting element may fit in the slit and the reentrantgroove.

One of the upper main body and the lower main body may have a labelingregion on which a label is attached so as to cover the slit.

At least one of the upper main body and the lower main body may have areentrant groove which is formed so as to fit with the write/nonwritesetting element.

Each of the upper main body and the lower main body may have a reentrantgroove which is formed so as to fit with the write/nonwrite settingelement.

The memory card may further include a switch for electrically switchingthe write/nonwrite state of the data, the switch being provided insidethe main body of the memory card, wherein: the switch may have anactivation portion which is provided so as to extend from the switchtoward the write/nonwrite setting element; and the activation portionmay electrically switch the write/nonwrite state of the data in responseto a sliding movement of the write/nonwrite setting element.

The memory card may further include a contact point for electricallyswitching the write/nonwrite state of the data, the contact point beingprovided inside the main body of the memory card, wherein thewrite/nonwrite setting element may have a contact piece provided at aposition corresponding to the contact point.

The memory card may further, include a print substrate on which thesemiconductor memory is mounted, wherein the contact point may be formedon the print substrate.

The elastic guide may be formed such that the elastic force of theelastic guide is affected in a direction from the contact piece to thecontact point.

The upper main body and the lower main body may form a slide hole withinthe notched section; the elastic guide may include a groove formedwithin the slide hole in at least one of the upper main body and thelower main body; the write/nonwrite setting element may have a fittingportion which is inserted into the slide hole and is fitted in thegroove; the fitting portion may include a maximum width section whichhas a width greater than a width of the slide hole such that the fittingportion can be inserted into the slide hole by means of elasticdeformation of the upper main body and the lower main body; and theengagement portion may be formed in the groove.

A tip section of the fitting portion may have a width smaller than thatof the slide hole; the fitting portion may have an inclined faceextending from the tip section to the maximum width section; and thewrite/nonwrite setting element may be inserted in the slide hole whilethe inclined face expands the slide hole until the fitting portion isfitted into the groove, whereby the write/nonwrite setting element maybe attached to the main body of the memory card.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a lower surface side of anassembled memory card according to embodiment 1 of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the memory card according toembodiment 1 of the present invention, in which a lower main body ispartially cut away.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an upper surface side of apartially-exploded memory card according to embodiment 1 the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the memory card according toembodiment 1 of the present invention, in which an upper main body ispartially cut away.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the memory card taken alongline A—A in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates manipulation of a write/nonwrite setting element ofthe memory card according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates detection of the setting of the write/nonwritesetting element of the memory card according to embodiment 1 of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-section of a memory card according to embodiment 2of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a cross-section of a memory card according to embodiment 3of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a cross-section of a memory card according to embodiment 4of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a memory cardaccording to embodiment 5 of the present invention, to which awrite/nonwrite setting element is provided.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a conventional memory cardincorporating a write/nonwrite setting means which is realized by areflective sheet.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a conventional memory cardincorporating a write/nonwrite setting means which is realized by aswitch.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiment 1

Hereinafter, embodiment 1 of the present invention is described withreference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a lower surface side of anassembled memory card 100 according to embodiment 1 of the presentinvention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the memory card 100 inwhich a lower main body is partially cut away. FIG. 3 is a perspectiveview showing an upper surface side of the partially-exploded memory card100. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the memory card 100 in whichan upper main body is partially cut away. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectionalview showing the memory card 100 taken along line A—A in FIG. 1. FIGS.6(a) and 6(b) illustrate manipulation of a write/nonwrite settingelement of the memory card 100. FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) illustratesdetection of the setting of the write/nonwrite setting element in thememory card 100.

In FIGS. 1 through 5, reference numeral 1 denotes an upper main body ofthe memory card, reference numeral 2 denotes a lower main body of thememory card. A combination of the upper and lower main bodies 1 and 2forms a main body 51 of the memory card. Herein, the width of the uppermain body 1 is greater than that of the lower main body 2. Referencenumeral 3 denotes a notched section formed at a side of the wider uppermain body 1 of the memory card. The notched section 3 is formed in theshape of a flat rectangular recess. In the notched section 3, awrite/nonwrite setting element 4 is slidably provided. Specifically, anelastic guide 6 and a slit 5 are formed in the upper main body 1 of thememory card within the notched section 3, and a groove 7 is formed inthe lower main body 2 at a position which faces the slit 5. Thewrite/nonwrite setting element 4 is slidably fitted in the slit 5, thegroove 7, and the elastic guide 6, and is sandwiched by the upper andlower main bodies 1 and 2 of the memory card. The write/nonwrite settingelement 4 is positioned so that a portion of the setting element 4 meetswith the notched section 3 formed in the upper main body 1 of the memorycard and covers a portion of the notched section 3. Sliding movement ofthe setting element 4 selects a position at which the notched section 3is covered.

The write/nonwrite setting element 4 covers a portion of the notchedsection 3 so as to set the write/nonwrite state of the memory card. Thewrite/nonwrite setting element 4 includes: a manipulation portion 4 aused as a shift knob which is manually operated so as to set thewrite/nonwrite state of the memory card; an anti-disengagement portion 4b which is fitted in the slit 5 and the groove 7; and a slide contactportion 4 c which connects the manipulation portion 4 a with theanti-disengagement portion 4 b and which slidably contacts the elasticguide 6. The write/nonwrite setting element 4 fits in the upper mainbody 1 of the memory card, in which the slit 5 is formed, and is coveredwith the lower main body 2 of the memory card, in which the groove 7 isformed, such that the anti-disengagement portion 4 b fits in the slit 5and the groove 7, and the slide contact portion 4 c is slidably heldbetween the elastic guide 6 and the lower main body 2 of the memorycard.

The elastic guide 6 provided in the upper main body 1 of the memory cardhas an engagement portion in a substantially central area thereof, whichis formed by a protrusion 6 a. The slide contact portion 4 a of thewrite/nonwrite setting element 4 is provided so as to ride over theprotrusion 6 a so as to be engagedly stopped at the opposite sides ofthe elastic guide 6, thereby selecting a position where thewrite/nonwrite setting element 4 covers the notched section 3. That is,between the elastic guide 6 formed in the upper main body 1 of thememory card and the write/nonwrite setting element 4, an engagementportion for stopping sliding movement of the write/nonwrite settingelement 4 along the elastic guide 6 is provided. With this structure,both a click-feeling and stoppage of write/nonwrite setting can beprovided to the sliding movement of the write/nonwrite setting element4. The click-feeling can be adjusted by changing the protruded amount ofthe protrusion 6 a. In this example, the engagement portion is formed bythe protrusion 6 a. However, the engagement portion may be structuredsuch that a first engagement portion of a protrusion or cavity is formedin the elastic guide 6, a second engagement portion of a cavity orprotrusion is formed in a surface of the slide contact portion 4 c ofthe write/nonwrite setting element 4 which faces the elastic guide 6,and the first engagement portion is engagedly stopped by the secondengagement portion during the sliding movement of the write/nonwritesetting element 4. Further, the shape of each of the above components isnot limited to that shown in the drawings so long as the components aredisengagedly assembled.

In the main body of the memory card, a terminal 9 for establishing anelectrical connection with a device is integrally formed in a slitportion 81 of the lower main body 2 of the memory card. Inside the mainbody, the memory card includes a substrate 11 which has a semiconductormemory 10 mounted thereon having a rewritable content. The contentstored in the semiconductor memory 10 is read out or rewritten throughthe terminal 9 by an electrically-connected device (not shown). Thememory card has the write/nonwrite setting means (further describedlater) for preventing erroneous erasure or erroneous overwriting of astored content.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a labeling region, which is formed in asurface of the upper main body 1 of the memory card so as to have arecessed shape. As shown in FIG. 5, in the labeling region 12, a label12 a on which predetermined presentation items about the memory card areprinted is attached. In this example, the anti-disengagement portion 4 bof the write/nonwrite setting element 4 is formed so as not to extendbeyond the end edge of the slit 5. With such a structure, the label 12 ais prevented from being peeled off. Furthermore, the groove 7 formed inthe lower main body 2 is not necessary to be formed in the shape of aslit, and an irregular surface of the upper main body 1 is hiddenwithout deteriorating the guiding function due to the label 12 aattached over the slit 5. Thus, the appearance of the memory card is notdeteriorated.

A function of the memory card having the above structure is describedbelow.

The write/nonwrite setting element 4 is sandwiched, together with thesubstrate 11 having the semiconductor memory 10 mounted thereon, by theupper main body 1 and the lower main body 2 of the memory card, wherebythe write/nonwrite setting element 4 is held in the main body assembly51 of the memory card. The write/nonwrite setting element 4 is held at apredetermined position between the upper main body 1 and the lower mainbody 2 of the memory card such that the setting element 4 can be guidedby the slit 5, the elastic guide 6, and the groove 7. The circumferencesof the upper main body 1 and the lower main body 2 of the memory cardare welded or adhered to each other except for the notched section 3.

In this way, the write/nonwrite setting element 4 is provided so as tobe held between the upper main body 1 and the lower main body 2 of thememory card, so that the manipulation portion 4 a thereof covers aportion of the notched section 3. As shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b),substantially a right or left half of the notched section 3 is covered.In FIG. 6(a), the left half is covered, and the covered portion has agenerally integral shape with the external shape of the upper main body1 of the memory card. The uncovered, remaining right half of the notchedsection 3 forms a flat rectangular recess in the main body of the memorycard. By the rightward sliding movement of the write/nonwrite settingelement 4, the slide contact portion 4 a of the write/nonwrite settingelement 4 rides over the protrusion 6 a of the elastic guide 6, and thesetting element 4 is stopped at the right side of the elastic guide 6 sothat the right half of the notched section 3 is covered as shown in FIG.6(b). As the write/nonwrite setting element 4 rides over the protrusion6 a, the elastic guide 6 is deformed. A position of the notched section3 which is to be covered with the write/nonwrite setting element 4 isselected by the sliding movement of the setting element 4, whereby thewrite/nonwrite state of data in the memory card is set.

Manipulation for setting the write/nonwrite state of data in the memorycard is performed by holding the manipulation portion 4 a between thefingers of a user and sliding rightward or leftward. The write/nonwritesetting element 4 is slid while the elastic guide 6 is bent due to theprotrusion 6 a. As a result, an appropriate click-feeling is provided,and an unintentional sliding movement of the write/nonwrite settingelement 4 is prevented. Furthermore, a rectangular recessed portion ofthe notched section 3 which is not covered with the write/nonwritesetting element 4 provides an indicator function, with which the settingstatus about the write/nonwrite state of data in the memory card can bevisually confirmed in an apparent manner. Further, two corners of themanipulation portion 4 a of the write/nonwrite settling element 4 areprovided with stepped portions 4 d. When the setting element 4 ispositioned at one side of the notched section 3, one of the steppedportions 4 d and the upper main body 1 of the memory card together forma minute reentrant portion, in which a finger or a finger nail of a usercan be readily engaged.

Next, how a device in which a memory card is insertively connecteddetects the setting of write/nonwrite state of the memory card accordingto the present invention is described with reference to FIGS. 7(a) and7(b).

In FIG. 7(a), reference numeral 22 denotes a device in which a memorycard of this embodiment is insertively connected. Reference numeral 21denotes a detection switch provided in the device 22. The detectionswitch 21 includes a detection section 23 and a contact-point element24. In FIG. 7(a), the write/nonwrite setting element 4 covers the lefthalf of the notched section 3, as shown in FIG. 6(a), and it is assumedthat the memory card is writable when the write/nonwrite setting element4 is placed at the left side of the notched section 3. In this writablesetting where the write/nonwrite setting element 4 covers the left halfof the notched section 3, the detection section 23 of the detectionswitch 21 is raised so that the contact-point element 24 is closed. Thedevice 22 detects that the contact-point element 24 is closed, therebyrecognizing that the memory card is writable.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7(b), the memory card is nonwritablewhen the write/nonwrite setting element 4 is placed at the right side ofthe notched section 3. In this nonwritable setting where the left halfof the notched section 3 is not covered with the write/nonwrite settingelement 4, the detection section 23 of the detection switch 21 is notraised so that the contact-point element 24 is open. The device 22detects that the contact-point element 24 is open, thereby recognizingthat the memory card is nonwritable.

Embodiment 2

Next, embodiment 2 of the present invention is described with referenceto FIG. 8. FIG. 8 shows a cross-section of a memory card incorporating aswitch according to embodiment 2 of the present invention.

The basic structure of the memory card of embodiment 2 is the same asthat of the memory card of embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 8, a switch 13is mounted on a substrate 11 which is provided inside the memory card,and the switch 13 has an activation portion 13 a which extends towardthe write/nonwrite setting element 4. The write/nonwrite setting element4 has an operation portion 4 e, which is placed so as to engage with theactivation portion 13 a of the switch 13. In order to accommodate theabove elements, a space 14 is provided between the upper main body 1 andthe lower main body 2 of the memory card, in which the operation portion4 e and the activation portion 13 a are slid or moved. With such astructure, the write/nonwrite state of the memory card can be set bothby a sliding movement of the write/nonwrite setting element 4 and by anelectrical switching performed inside the main body of the memory card.

Embodiment 3

Next, embodiment 3 of the present invention is described with referenceto FIG. 9. FIG. 9 shows a cross-section of a memory card incorporating acontact section according to embodiment 3 of the present invention.

The basic structure of the memory card of embodiment 3 is the same asthat of the memory card of embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 9, a contactsection 15 is provided on a substrate 11 which is provided inside thememory card, and a write/nonwrite setting element 4 is provided with acontact piece holding section 4 f and a contact piece 4 g. Between theupper main body 1 and the lower main body 2 of the memory card, a slidespace 16 is provided in which the contact piece holding section 4 f andthe contact piece 4 g are slid. With such a structure, thewrite/nonwrite state of the memory card can be set both by a slidingmovement of the write/nonwrite setting element 4 and by an electricalswitching performed inside the main body of the memory card.

Embodiment 4

Next, embodiment 4 of the present invention is described with referenceto FIG. 10. FIG. 10 shows a cross-section of a portion of a memory cardaccording to embodiment 4 of the present invention, in which awrite/nonwrite setting element 4 is provided.

The basic structure of the memory card of embodiment 4 is the same asthat of the memory card of embodiment 1. In embodiment 4, as shown inFIG. 10, the upper main body 1 of the memory card has a reentrant groove17 in place of the slit 5 of FIG. 1. The anti-disengagement portion 4 bof the write/nonwrite setting element 4 fits in the reentrant groove 17and the reentrant groove 7 formed in the lower main body 2 of the memorycard.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the size of the slit 5, thedepth of the reentrant groove 7 or 17, the thickness of the elasticguide 6, and the height of the protrusion 6 a may be suitably set, inconsideration of a material of the upper and lower main bodies 1 and 2and the write/nonwrite setting element 4, such as a synthetic resin orthe like, according to the elastic strength of these elements obtainedduring a sliding movement, and the setting of a suitable click-feeling,etc.

Embodiment 5

Next, embodiment 5 of the present invention is described with referenceto FIG. 11. FIG. 11 shows a cross-section of a portion of a memory cardaccording to embodiment 5 of the present invention, in which awrite/nonwrite setting element is provided.

Upper and lower main bodies 1 and 2 of the memory card together form aslide hole 18 within the notched section 3. Inside the slide hole 18,grooves 19 and 20 are formed in the upper and lower main bodies 1 and 2of the memory card, respectively. The grooves 19 and 20 function aselastic guides, which utilize elastic deformation of the upper and lowermain bodies 1 and 2. The upper and lower main bodies 1 and 2 arecombined integrally by ultrasonic welding or the like as shown in FIG.11. From being combined, the slide hole 18 is formed within the notchedsection 3 so as to be open against a side face of the memory card. Anengagement portion 21 is formed in the groove 20. The engagement portion21 serves for the positioning of a write/nonwrite setting element 4during a sliding movement thereof, which will be described later.

The write/nonwrite setting element 4 has a fitting portion 4 h whichfits in the grooves 19 and 20 when the setting element 4 is insertedinto the slide hole 18 formed by the upper and lower main bodies 1 and 2of the memory card. Width D2 of a maximum width section 4 j of thefitting portion 4 h is greater than width D1 of the slide hole 18. WidthD3 of a tip section 4 k of the fitting portion 4 h is smaller than widthD1 of the slide hole 18. The fitting portion 4 h has an inclined face 4m extending from the tip section 4 k to the maximum width section 4 j.

As shown in FIG. 11, the write/nonwrite setting element 4 is forcedlyinserted into the slide hole 18 along the direction indicated by arrowA1, so as to fit in the grooves 19 and 20. During insertion of thesetting element 4, the inclined face 4 m expands the slide hole 18formed by the upper and lower main bodies 1 and 2 of the memory card.The write/nonwrite setting element 4 is further inserted, while theupper and lower main bodies 1 and 2 are elastically deformed, until thefitting portion 4 h fits in the grooves 19 and 20.

After the write/nonwrite setting element 4 has been fitted in the memorycard, the write/nonwrite setting element 4 is positioned by means of theengagement portion 21 formed in the grooves 19 and 20 in a similarmanner described in conjunction with the memory cards of the previousembodiments.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, according to the present invention, a write/nonwritesetting element is slidably fitted in a notched section provided at aside portion of a main body of a memory card. Setting of thewrite/nonwrite state of the memory card is achieved by selecting aportion of the notched section which is covered with the write/nonwritesetting element by means of a sliding movement of the write/nonwritesetting element. In such a structure, the memory card does not have anyprotrusion over its side face, and the thickness of the memory card ismaintained so as to be thin. Due to such a structure, setting of thewrite/nonwrite state of the memory card is achieved by changing thestate of the notched section by means of simple manipulation, i.e., bysimply sliding the write/nonwrite setting element. Furthermore, thewrite/nonwrite setting element can be securely held in the main body ofthe memory card. Since the notched section and the write/nonwritesetting element are provided on a side face of the main body of thememory card, a relative effective area on the memory card forincorporating a semiconductor memory or the like can be increased. As aresult, the size of the entire memory card can be decreased.

Furthermore, a switch, a contact-point element, etc., can be providedinside the main body of the memory card for setting the write/nonwritestate of the memory card, only by making a simple change to the shape ofthe memory card structure. That is, a high degree of freedom is providedin the entire memory card structure. Furthermore, since the notchedsection and the write/nonwrite setting element are provided on a sideface of the main body of the memory card, a relative effective area onthe memory card for incorporating a semiconductor memory or the like canbe increased. As a result, the size of the entire memory card can bedecreased.

What is claimed is:
 1. A memory card, comprising: a main body of thememory card in which a rectangular notched section is formed at a sideof its external flat shape; a semiconductor memory in which data can beat least written, the semiconductor memory being mounted on a substratecontained inside the main body of the memory card; a terminal providedin the main body of the memory card for electrically connecting thesemiconductor memory to an external device; and a write/nonwrite settingelement for setting a write/nonwrite state of the data in thesemiconductor memory, the write/nonwrite setting element being slidablyfitted in the notched section, wherein the main body of the memory cardincludes an upper main body and a lower main body; at least one of theupper main body and the lower main body has an elastic guide formedwithin the notched section; the write/nonwrite setting element isslidably fitted in the elastic guide; the upper main body and the lowermain body support the substrate on which the semiconductor memory ismounted and the write/nonwrite setting element therebetween; thewrite/nonwrite setting element is positioned so as to select any of afirst position, where a portion of the write/nonwrite setting elementcovers a portion of the notched section, and a second position, wherethe portion of the write/nonwrite setting element covers another portionof the notched section, an external shape of the write/nonwrite settingelement which covers any of the portion and the another portion of thenotched section is formed so as to have a generally integral shape withan external shape of the main body of the memory card; thewrite/nonwrite setting element slides along the elastic guide so as toset a write/nonwrite state of the data in the semiconductor memory; andthe elastic guide has an engagement portion for engagedly stopping thewrite/nonwrite setting element so as to select the position of thewrite/nonwrite setting element with respect to the elastic guide.
 2. Amemory card according to claim 1, wherein: the engagement portionincludes a protrusion which is formed so as to engagedly stop thewrite/nonwrite setting element; and the write/nonwrite setting elementrides over the protrusion so as to be engagedly stopped at one of theopposite ends of the elastic guide, thereby selecting a position of thenotched section which is covered with the write/nonwrite settingelement.
 3. A memory card according to claim 1, wherein: the engagementportion includes a first engagement portion which is formed by aprotrusion or a cavity; the write/nonwrite setting element includes asecond engagement portion which is formed by a cavity or a protrusion;and the second engagement portion is engagedly stopped by the firstengagement portion, whereby the write/nonwrite setting element selects aposition of the notched section which is covered with the write/nonwritesetting element.
 4. A memory card according to claim 1, wherein: one ofthe upper main body and the lower main body has a slit which is formedin the elastic guide; and the write/nonwrite setting element fits in theslit.
 5. A memory card according to claim 4, wherein the write/nonwritesetting element includes: a manipulation portion which covers thenotched section so as to achieve setting of the write/nonwrite state andwhich is used as a manually-operated shift knob; an anti-disengagementportion which is fitted in the slit; and a slide contact portion whichconnects the manipulation portion with the anti-disengagement portionand which slidably contacts the elastic guide.
 6. A memory cardaccording to claim 4, wherein: the other of the upper main body and thelower main body has a reentrant groove at a position such as to face theslit; and the write/nonwrite setting element fits in the slit and thereentrant groove.
 7. A memory card according to claim 4, wherein one ofthe upper main body and the lower main body has a labeling region onwhich a label is attached so as to cover the slit.
 8. A memory cardaccording to claim 1, wherein at least one of the upper main body andthe lower main body has a reentrant groove which is formed so as to fitwith the write/nonwrite setting element.
 9. A memory card according toclaim 1, wherein each of the upper main body and the lower main body hasa reentrant groove which is formed so as to fit with the write/nonwritesetting element.
 10. A memory card according to claim 1, furthercomprising a switch for electrically switching the write/nonwrite stateof the data, the switch being provided inside the main body of thememory card, wherein: the switch has an activation portion which isprovided so as to extend from the switch toward the write/nonwritesetting element; and the activation portion electrically switches thewrite/nonwrite state of the data in response to a sliding movement ofthe write/nonwrite setting element.
 11. A memory card according to claim1, further comprising a contact point for electrically switching thewrite/nonwrite state of the data, the contact point being providedinside the main body of the memory card, wherein the write/nonwritesetting element has a contact piece provided at a position correspondingto the contact point.
 12. A memory card according to claim 11, furthercomprising a print substrate on which the semiconductor memory ismounted, wherein the contact point is formed on the print substrate. 13.A memory card according to claim 1, wherein: the upper main body and thelower main body form a slide hole within the notched section; theelastic guide includes a groove formed within the slide hole in at leastone of the upper main body and the lower main body; the write/nonwritesetting element has a fitting portion which is inserted into the slidehole and is fitted in the groove; the fitting portion includes a maximumwidth section which has a width greater than a width of the slide holesuch that the fitting portion can be inserted into the slide hole bymeans of elastic deformation of the upper main body and the lower mainbody; and the engagement portion is formed in the groove.
 14. A memorycard according to claim 13, wherein: a tip section of the fittingportion has a width smaller than that of the slide hole; the fittingportion has an inclined face extending from the tip section to themaximum width section; and the write/nonwrite setting element isinserted in the slide hole while the inclined face expands the slidehole until the fitting portion is fitted into the groove, whereby thewrite/nonwrite setting element is attached to the main body of thememory card.